Chapter 7

When Mizuka awoke again, her entire body felt numb like it had another layer coating it, like another layer of fat. She slowly opened her eyes to see Atobe looking passively down at her.
"Hello, beautiful."
She wanted to reply but her mouth felt so dry, her tongue felt like it was coated in sand. When she opened her mouth she could feel her lips cracking, her tongue feeling like sandpaper. Atobe already had a bowl in his hand as he lifted it to her lips, a bowl of orange-yellowish liquid. It felt so good to take a sip of that, the sweetness of the chamomile engulfing her soul as he tipped the bowl perfectly with the pace she was drinking, but she found she couldn't even drink that much. Atobe pulled the bowl away to place on the side of the...floor?
Atobe was holding her in his arms in what looked like a square bath tub built into the ground. She pulled her heavy arms in to cover her chest since she realized that she was only wearing her bra. "My clothes," her voice was soft.
"We had to strip you down. Your clothes were all frozen," he combed a hand through her hair. "Do you not remember what happened?
She thought for a bit. "Sakuno."
"She's a little shaken up but she's fine."
"Your...clothes?"
He gave her a smile. "I wanted to join you, too," his brows furrowed as he looked more concerned. "How are you feeling?"
"Fat."
Atobe let out a chuckle. "I can assure you that you are anything but fat."
"Where are we?"
"We are in the bathroom," he looked thoughtful before he asked. "Do you know who I am?"
"Atobe..." she said, then added. "Keigo.."
"Make sure you never forget that," Atobe pressed his lips to her forehead.

The doctor felt like he was taking forever to come. Oshitari sat across the table from Sengoku, their paused chess game sitting between them on the table. Every seat in the living room was taken, no games were being played.
Oshitari noticed Sengoku glance at the clock for the fifth time. He was not the only one though, everybody else kept glancing at the clock or their phones to check on the time. It was putting him on edge. It actually made the time go by slower for him.
So far Oishi and Inui have been the only ones inside the bathroom to see Mizuka. They now stood huddled near the door and he was only able to see Inui's face. He couldn't tell what expression he had on because of his thick glasses. According to them, she was apparently hallucinating, which sounded pretty bad to him. That meant that her brain wasn't getting enough oxygen. That usually meant close to death. It was like how she almost drowned in Atobe's pool. But this time it was worse since she was actually hallucinating.
He jerked when a hand grabbed his wrist and looked over to see Sengoku giving him a worried look. "Hey, she's going to be alright."
Oshitari blinked. How had he gotten so dark? And was he that easy to read? He had thought that he was good at hiding his emotions. He gave Sengoku what he hoped was a reassuring smile but the other player's return smile wasn't so sure. "I know." He motioned down to the game. "Shall we continue?"
"You're playing at a time like this?!" Momoshiro dashed over. "How can you be so inconsiderate? Mizuka could be dying and you're going to play games?"
"Actually," Irie started, making everyone turn to him. "you're supposed to distract yourselves with activities. It may seem like you're having fun but there is nothing you can do right now so it wouldn't be good for you mentally to just sit here and do nothing."
"He is 100% correct." Inui said as he pushed up his glasses.
Oshitari released a breath he hadn't even realized he was holding once everybody started their games. He had been so caught up in feeling guilty he didn't even stop to think calmly like he usually did. Mukahi wasn't there either. He had went straight to his room after they brought Mizuka to the bathroom and never came out. Oshitari wondered how Atobe was doing since he did plunge himself into the water to get Mizuka. It looked like Mizuka had dropped through the ice in slow motion. She hadn't even screamed. He had stood frozen in the spot as everyone screamed her name, he probably did too. But it was Sengoku who noticed it just before he and the others did as he pushed Atobe away from the ice. He had run over and grabbed Atobe's jacket from behind and pulled, his friend trying so hard to go to the hole in the ice. They were having so much trouble that even Shishido and Fuji ran to help. It was hard to restrain Atobe when he sounded like that, when his calls for Mizuka's name came from that voice. He had tried to talk him down but Atobe's words were heartbreaking.

"I can't lose her again. I can't. I can't."

He could tell that it was hard for the others to hold him back too. The words, the sound of his voice, his eyes were breaking even their own hearts. It was even worse when Mukahi hadn't pulled Mizuka back. They had all pulled together when they felt him tug the line thrice. By Oni's command, they tugged together but they only got Mukahi. Nobody had noticed until Atobe was already running across the ice, his hands fumbling with the rope gave him a heart attack. Atobe hadn't even been shivering when they pulled them both out but Mizuka's face was as pale as snow. She wasn't even properly dressed in proper attire in her leggings, her jacket looked like it would bare the most at fall weather. At Oishi's command to bundle her up, everyone had taken off their jackets to lay them on top of her. Atobe had stripped his jacket just so he could carry her inside. Oishi had directed them to the bathroom where Sebastian had already prepared the bath. They stripped Mizuka down to her undergarments and then Atobe stripped down to his boxers and carried her down into the tub. Her body was entirely flushed red and that was when Oishi and Inui pushed everyone else out and closed the door on them.
"Checkmate."

There was a small knock on the door and Atobe thought Oishi might've come back to check on Mizuka since he had called for him but it was Mukahi.
"How is Mizuka doing?" he asked quietly, staying by the door.
"Why don't you come closer and see for yourself?" Atobe said. "What are you scared for, ahn?"
He could see and hear Mukahi gulp as he walked over slowly, his steps taking him over so he can finally stare down into the tub. Atobe looked back down at Mizuka. She was 'resting her eyes' once he had gotten her to drink more tea. Her body was burning up now but her fingers and toes were cold and so was her face. Her whole body was pale.
"She's just resting at the moment," Atobe said as he idly fixed the strap of her lacy black bra, pushing it back up her shoulders.
"I see."
Atobe looked up at his odd tone. Mukahi was staring down at Mizuka, his eyes low as he looked her up and down, scanning her. "She'll be fine." He wasn't sure if he was saying that to Mukahi or to himself. He just couldn't take his friend looking at Mizuka like that, like it was all his fault. Mukahi shifted and went for the door, bumping in to Oishi on his way out.
Atobe watched as Oishi checked her temperature and heartbeat and he wanted to check Atobe too but he refused him. They had to take care of Mizuka first.

Oshitari was headed to the bathroom when he spotted Mukahi. It was the weird creepy smile on Mukahi's face that made him ask him what was wrong.
"Mizuka's going to be just fine," Mukahi said.
Oshitari narrowed his eyes. "Then why are you smiling like that?"
"Smiling like what?"
"Like that," he nodded at him.
"I always smile like this," he brushed past Oshitari and slipped into his room, slamming the door in his face but not without sticking his tongue out at him first.
Oshitari shook his head. Maybe that's how his friend coped when he was stressed, from staying away from everybody. He just had to make sure his friend wasn't doing anything stupid. He'll check up on him later.

Mizuka woke up before she opened her eyes. It was so soft everywhere. She felt like she was on a cloud. It felt so cold she was starting to shiver so she tried to curl up in the blankets some more. She could hear Atobe's voice and an older gentleman's voice. He sounded familiar. Where had she heard his voice from?
"Just keep her bundled up in blankets so that her body restores back to her normal temperature. Make sure she drinks plenty of warm sweet fluids."
"Yes, doctor. Thank you," Oishi said.
"Thank you for coming in such short notice. I apologize for taking you away from your family at such a precious time," Atobe said.
"No need to be sorry, Atobe-sama. Anything for anyone who needs my help. It is my duty as a doctor to make sure all my patients are in healthy condition."
She heard the sound of the door open and close and then footsteps padding up to her. She hadn't even realized that there was a damp towel on her head until they took it off and changed it for another warm one. It felt so good on her head that she couldn't help a smile.
"Mizuka, are you awake?" Oishi asked.
She opened her eyes to see Oishi smiling lightly down at her. "Oishi.." she managed a whisper.
"The doctor just saw you. Atobe's walking him out right now. He says that you're going to be fine. We just have to keep you warm until your body can keep you warm by itself," Oishi said. "You've had a moderate case of hypothermia. I just need to check on Atobe as well but the doctor doesn't seem too worried about him so I think he should be fine."
Mizuka was confused. Why did he need to check on Atobe? What happened to him? She glanced at the door when it opened to see Oni and Irie come in. Oni apparently had to leave to deliver gifts to his siblings and Irie and Tokugawa were leaving with him. Oni knelt by the bed and rested his palm on top of her head. "Rest well, Mizuka."
"See you back at the camp!" Irie gave her a wink before following him out the door.
Yuki and the girls came in after. Yuki almost hugged her but Oishi held out an arm to stop her, shaking his head and stating that Mizuka shouldn't have too much movement. She could see in her best friend's eyes that all she wanted to do was hold her. Sakuno and Tomoka were tearing up so Mizuka gave them the best smile she could manage and told them pretty girls didn't cry. She just hoped nobody else was going to come, otherwise she might start crying.

Oshitari was on his way to Mizuka since he heard she was awake and well enough to see people. He stopped by Mukahi's room, sure that he would want to come and see her too.
"I'm in."
He heard Mukahi say that just as he opened the door. He probably should've knocked first considering the last time he barged into his room, his doubles partner was doing something very unsatisfactory to his eyes.
"Jeez, why don't you ever knock, Yuushi?!" Mukahi yelled at him, red faced, his hand covering the face of his phone.
Oshitari put his hands up in defense, at least he wasn't masturbating again. "Why? Who were you talking to? Your mom?" he snickered when Mukahi grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. His friend was always embarrassed to be caught talking with his parents for some reason.
"Get out of here!" Mukahi flung another pillow at him.
Oshitari closed the door and heard the thump of the pillow. "Mizuka's awake, just letting you know," he said through the door.

She had been right. She was going to start crying.
"You won't tell my brother, right?"
"Not when you look at me like that," Fuji's smile faltered a little as he knelt by the bed and leaned closer to you, his normally sharp blue eyes looked softly at her. "He's going to have to know, Mizuka. Your brother really cares about you."
"He's going pro. He shouldn't have these things to distract him."
"You're not a distraction, you're his sister."
Mizuka could feel the pout forming on her face as Fuji gave her a smile and left. Everyone filed in by twos or threes, never more. Sengoku was the last to come. She hadn't even realized what a relief it was to see him. He always made her feel better. He gave her a bright smile and leaned over on the bed to kiss the middle of her forehead, something that he never did. She felt so confused but he said, "Don't think too much of it. I'm just glad you're okay."
"Maybe your luck had something to do with it."
He tilted his head. "I didn't do anything."
"You're here. That's something," her voice did a croak.
He poured more tea and was helping her drink it when he said. "You're not going back to the camp, are you?"
"Why not?"
"Well...I mean..." He rubbed the back of his head with one hand. "Not that I don't want you there but you were missing for an entire month. Have you seen your parents yet?"
"Atobe's going to take me to see them tomorrow. We are spending the day with them for Christmas."
"Are you sure that's still happening?" He eyed her warily. "Don't you think you should spend more time with them? They thought you were dead."
That jolted her and she sat up, closing her eyes at the wave of dizziness that came with it. She felt Sengoku's hands tilting her back up, she hadn't even realized she had been tilting over.
"Take it easy, Mizuka." He gently pushed her back down onto the bed. "You still have to rest."
Mizuka opened her eyes and looked at her orange haired friend, he wasn't wearing his usual smile, he was frowning. "Why are you trying to scare me away from the camp?"
"I'm not trying to scare you away from anything. I'm just trying to consider your parents. They are your parents."
"And they are the ones that allowed me to stay there."
But Sengoku already knew that. She knew he knew that. She stared at him and he stared back at her.
"I'm going back to the camp," she said.
Sengoku then slid his hand to her face and gave her one of his fake smiles. "I know."

Atobe wanted to give everyone some time alone with Mizuka. He had the sniffles and was trying to avoid Oishi since he knew he was fine. He had taken a nice warm shower and was on his way back to the room just as Sengoku stepped out. He looked troubled but smiled when he saw Atobe. Atobe was inclined to ask but Sengoku was already starting down the hallway, smiling and waving at him to go see Mizuka.
She still looked pale though her cheeks were getting a little flushed. She opened her eyes when he leaned on the bed to kiss her.
"Hello beautiful," he said. "How are you feeling?"
She stared back at him blankly, her eyes tired. "Good," she replied weakly. "A little cold."
He helped her drink another glass of tea before he climbed into bed with her, wrapping his arm around her as her head rested on his shoulder. She was cold. He could feel her coldness through her clothes so he hugged her until her body was right against him.
"Are we still seeing my parents tomorrow?" She asked quietly.
He looked down at her but her eyes were closed. "Only if you're up for it."
"We don't have to tell them, right? About today?"
"Well, we kind of have to. They're your parents."
She opened her eyes and tilted her head up to look at him then. "Do you tell your parents everything?"
He blinked at that. He definitely did not tell his parents everything. "Well, no, I don't. But this is different," his voice came out a lot harder than expected but she didn't seem to notice.
"How is this different?"
"It doesn't matter how it's different, Mizuka. Once I call the doctor, your parents are automatically informed about the situation and updated by minutes," he said and added softly. "They're your guardians. Okay?"
She hugged her face into his chest. "Do you want me back at the camp?"
"Yeah, I do. Too bad we can't really train together."
Her eyes were opened again as she stared at his shirt, her eyes in thought. He tilted her face up to him.
"What's wrong?"
Her eyes looked down. "Nothing."
"Look at me."
She always obeyed. Her eyes looked grudgingly back up at him and he wanted to punish her for that. Too bad she was in no condition to do anything. He didn't want to ruin her recovering body either so he gave her a kiss instead.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm just tired."
He let her pull his hand from holding her chin and felt her do a deep sigh as she sunk more into him, her arm going around him to pull herself closer. He slid his hand up her back to the side of her head to gently massage her earlobe and soon enough, she fell asleep. Maybe she was just tired.

They were definitely not going to see her parents today. She was definitely not up for it. Mizuka spent the day mostly in bed. Atobe had to deliver everyone else home first before he came back later. It was Christmas Day and Atobe was strict about not getting him anything because why would he want anything when he already had her? She knew he was just saying that and it was a cover for "I have so much money and could buy anything I ever wanted" but she had gotten him a card regardless since her arts and crafts skills were subpar with 0. It was a popup card, a white Christmas tree would popup when he opened it. Hopefully he would like it. She had been strong enough to eat bits of foods today. The chef had prepared soft foods for her to eat just in case. Sebastian saw to her all day and Beat would come and jump on the bed, occasionally watching her read then running back out the door. She had been dozing off throughout the day and had woken up to see Beat asleep curled up in the crook of her knees. She woke up when she heard the snap of fingers and to see Beat crawling over her. There was bright orange light in the room so it couldn't be that late.
Atobe slid a hand to her cheek. "How are you feeling, Love?"
"Good," she whispered.
He made her drink some tea again before helping her out of bed. Atobe had picked out a nice red dress for her that he wanted her to change into in the other room, a thin strapped high low dress with a black belt.
She looked at herself in the mirror after she had slipped on some black three inch heels. "I look like Santa Claus."
Atobe slid his hands around her waist and looked at her in the mirror, a finger slowly tracing the frills on her dress. "A very sexy one."
He was wearing a black suit himself with a red tie to match her dress.
"I can't walk in heels," she stated plainly.
"And that's why you have me," he looped her hand through his arm.
Before they left the room, she handed him the card and it warmed her heart to see his eyes glow when he opened it. "It's beautiful, Love. Thank you," he kissed her on the forehead and kissed his way down to her lips and slowly encased them in a deep kiss, making her let out a soft moan. Her hands were sliding through his hair as his hands explored her, sliding over her breast to give it a firm and territorial squeeze, his other hand moving behind her head to pull her closer before he suddenly pulled away. His breathing was a little hard as he gave her a soft kiss, his eyes a little light. Atobe slid his hands to cup her face and leaned in to kiss her, his thumbs sliding across her cheeks as his hands slid down the side of her sensitive neck, making her eyes close and her body shiver. "Thank you."
He looped her hand through his arm and led her back to his bedroom. When he opened the door, it took her breath away. The sunset had a bright orange and red and pink glow as the sun was going to set in the dips of the mountains. The room had been rearranged so that there was just the dining table with two chairs that would be just enough for the two of them. A red rose in a vase was on the white tablecloth. It was the perfect date.
Mizuka put a hand to her chest at the beautiful sight and felt something dangling there. She looked to see a necklace, small diamonds speckled the gold chain before it dipped down to the small heart diamond as big as her nail with gold webbing encasing it. She was speechless. She wasn't wearing this before. How did she put this on? Did she space out?
Atobe started laughing, his laugh a nice ringing to her ears. "You're so cute."
"What do you mean?"
He grinned and slid his hand to her face to cup her face on both sides and leaned in to kiss her. He had done that just moments ago. That was probably when he had snuck the necklace onto her. She smiled up at him.
"Thank you. I love it. It's beautiful."
"You're beautiful," he said, his arm pulling her against him, the sunset just lighting his eyes the perfect way as he leaned in and said, "Merry Christmas. I love you."